Bento Goncalves Brazil
Bento Goncalves Brasil. How far would you travel to see some of Brazil’s most luxurious wine regions?
Bento Goncalves Brazil
Bento Gonçalves is a municipality located in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Often called the “Napa Valley” of South America, Bento Goncalves produces the finest wines in Brazil.
Founded by Italian immigrants over a century ago, Bento Goncalves thrives as Brazil’s wine epicenter.
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Bento Goncalves Brazil Wineries
Americans eager to see Bento Goncavles must fly to San Paolo. Then jump on a plane to Porto Alegre.
Once you drop in the relatively small, middle-class town of Porto Alegre, rent a car for the 124km drive north to Bento Goncalves.
As a student of the OIV MSc program in wine management, I spent a few days in Porto Alegre learning about the emerging Brazilian wine industry from Júlio César Kunz, a graduate of the program, and other local professors.
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Bento Goncalves Brazil
Marked by green rolling hills like California’s Napa Valley, Bento Goncalves offers breathtakingly modern wineries, and quaint family wine estates.
And like the Napa Valley, you will know Bento Goncalves is a Wine-centric town as soon as you pass by the enormous 'wine barrel' known as Pórtico da Pipa along the street.
Bento Gonçalves Brazll : A Century of Wine Production
Brazil is famous for its production of spirits, especially cachaça, a rum-like liquor. Unlike rum, it’s not produced from molasses. Instead fresh sugar cane juice is fermented and then distilled. In the beach towns of Brazil you will find this liquor mixed with exotic tropic fruits.
Our first visit was at the Miolo Wine group, one of the largest wine companies in Brazil with wineries around the country.
The airy, modern estate dazzles the eye with its enormous size and park-like grounds. It’s tempting restaurant offers scenic views of the property. A more informal wine bar in the park-like grounds. Here you can relax with bean bag seats, low tables, and buy Miolo drinks and food for a picnic .
Wine aficionados will enjoy a tour of the winery and a tasting of the excellent wines from international varieties (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir) and delicious local varieties like the red Marselan grape, originally from France.
Note that there is much discussion about the phrase “local” used in association with Marselan, as there is not enough evidence that it has mutated sufficiently to warrant the naming convention of being a local grape.
Though sparkling wines are the most popular, Miolo produces several other wines, including reds meant to improve with age.
On his extensive tour, Adriano Miolo, a graduate of the program, showed off the facilities which include some old wood Botti besides expensive French oak barrique for aging the top line red wines.
Bento Goncalves Brazil : Vinicola Salton
The unique history of Bento Gonçalves shines with a visit to Vinicola Salton. Gregório Salton, a former OIV student, hosted our group.
The exterior of this impressive winery looks very much like a stately French Bordeaux Chateau. The Salton family’s wine production dates from 1878, yet they constructed the building in 2000.
Lured by a new Brazilian program aimed at encouraging Italians to settle the raw Rio Grande do Sul state ... , Antonio Domenico Salton took leave of his Northern Italian village in 1878.Mr. Salton, like the other immigrants, quickly planted fruit, vegetables, and vines to make wine. Today Salton’s descendants continue this family tradition of winemaking,
Vinicola Salton offers several tours and tasting experiences where guests can learn about its history and taste its (mostly sparkling) wines.
Bento Goncalves Brazil : Moet & Chandon
French born Philippe Mevel is the winemaker and operations director at Moet & Chandon, founded in 1973.
Chandon Brazil uses three grape varieties in the production of its wines: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Welschriesling, brought from Italy to Brazil a century ago. The wines have slightly more residual sugar than you will find in the US market.
The estate offers tours and tastings several times a day. Guests can also enjoy wine and snacks in the Chandon wine garden.
Bento Goncalves Brazil : Pizzato Vinhas E Vinhos
This boutique winery boasts beautiful views and a lively tasting room. Pizzato specializes in Bordeaux grape varieties (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon) and the the red Tannat grape, originally from France.
Book tours and tastings online in advance.
Bento Goncalves Brazil : Casa Valduga
This large winery specializes, like many, in sparkling wine. The cellars are enormous.
Be certain to choose one of the premium tours so you can journey down to the cellar and have a Professional tasting in one of the modern, air-conditioned rooms l ooking at the thousands of bottles.
Bento Goncalves Brazil : If You Go …
Where to Stay in Bento Goncalves
Hotel Viverone
Pleasant and modern, this sleek, clean hotel features airy rooms, many with floor to ceiling views. Officially rated 4-stars, ths Bento Goncalves hotel offers the conveniences (restaurant, fitness area) upscale travelers expect. The Marriott Do Vinho Hotel & Spa is also recommended.
Where to Stay in Porto Alegre
Porto Alegre offers dozens of hotels to choose from. Our group chose the Ibis Porto Alegre Moinhos de Vento for the price and central location, within walking distance to the park and some fun restaurants like Urban Farmcy, a favorite. The picture above is taken at this natural food restaurant.
Bento Goncalves Travel Tips **When Traveling Between Terminal 2 and 3 In San Paolo En Route to Porto Alegre (and the reverse)
Be certain to watch this film if you are on a short layover from your international flight into San Paolo to Porto Alegre.The video between GRU Airport Connections from T2 Domestic to T3 International presents this as a 20 minute walk, but it is closer to 30 minutes. You must also go through security in the new terminal, and the lines can be long.
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If you like this article you will like:
— Dominus Estate
— Chappellet Family Winery
— Hess Collection
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About Author Marisa D’Vari
D’Vari contributes to Forbes.com, Financial Times, World of Fine Wine, Quarterly Review of Wine, Decanter Robb Report, San Francisco Chronicle, South China Morning Post, and more.
She holds the (WSET) diploma, Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, a Certified Wine Educator through the Society of Wine Educators … to see it all, please click on bio
